Telangana: CM may quit-post Sonia's 'destructive' decision

Hyderabad, July 28: Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh reportedly have made their decision of forming a separate state -- Telangana. However, the decision seems to have upset Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy who asserted that he would not be a part of any "destructive" decision.

"I will not be a party to any destructive decision," said Reddy ahead of his meeting with the PM in the national capital on Friday, July 26. However, the CM reportedly did not receive any response from the Centre.

After his meeting with the PM, Reddy told reporters that forming Telangana would be a "suicidal step". Continuing his statement, the CM said, "creating Telangana is a suicidal step and that it would be difficult for me to preside over any move to bifurcate the state. I will not be a party to any destructive decision."

"They have taken a decision but we made them put off an announcement for now. We have to first complete the local bodies elections," added Reddy.

It was reported that all members were upset with Congress' decision and have threatened to quit as a mark of protest. The MPs urged the Centre not to divide Andhra Pradesh.

It was also learnt that post bifurcation, both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana will have 21 Lok Sabha seats each (unified Andhra has 42 seats) while Hyderabad will continue to be the shared capital of both states for a period of five years.

The final decision will be taken by the Congress Working Committee, the party's highest decision-making body. Though the date of the crucial meeting is yet to be finalised, it is most likely to be held before the monsoon session of the parliament, which is set to begin on August 5.